21 Jump Street

“21 Jump Street” is an American crime drama series that aired on the Fox Network and in first-run syndication from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, spanning 103 episodes. The show centers on a team of undercover police officers who, due to their youthful appearances, are tasked with solving crimes in high schools, colleges, and other environments frequented by teenagers. Initially, the series was to be named “Jump Street Chapel,” referencing the deconsecrated church that serves as the unit’s headquarters. However, Fox requested a name change to avoid any misconceptions about the show being religious in nature.

The series was the brainchild of Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell and was produced by their respective production companies in collaboration with 20th Century Fox Television. Executive producers included Hasburgh, Cannell, Steve Beers, and Bill Nuss. As one of the early successes for the then-new Fox Network, the show was designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Its final season was primarily broadcast in first-run syndication on local Fox stations and was later rerun on the FX cable network from 1996 to 1998.

The series played a significant role in launching Johnny Depp’s acting career, earning him widespread fame as a teen idol, a label he found frustrating. Despite this, Depp remained on the show due to his contract, earning $45,000 per episode, until he was released after the fourth season. A spin-off series titled “Booker,” focusing on the character Dennis Booker, aired for one season from September 1989 to June 1990. A film adaptation featuring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum was released on March 16, 2012.